Cushioning mechanism for a treadmill

ABSTRACT

A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill having a pair of ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements and a pair of pivotal rigid cushioning elements that are interposed between the bottom surface of both sides of the platform frame and the base bars. The pivotal rigid cushioning element includes a guidewheel at one end thereof. In this way, the guidewheel is movable on the surface of the base bar when the platform frame is moved up and down by the external forces applied to it. Accordingly, the cushioning and restoring effects can be achieved. Moreover, an auxiliary supporting element is pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly, respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Fields of the Invention

The invention relates to a cushioning mechanism for a treadmill, and more particularly, to a cushioning mechanism having a compact configuration while achieving an optimal shock-absorbing effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

A cushioning mechanism of a treadmill is adapted to support a platform frame. A vibration action is created when the platform frame is exposed to a continuous treading force by an operator thereon. A reaction force will, in turn, act on the feet of the operator, thereby giving him a little discomfort now and again. This discomfort can be relieved by the cushioning mechanism.

Accordingly, a few rows of resilient pads are provided between the platform frame and the base frame of the treadmill to achieve an expected shock-absorbing effect. Such a conventional configuration can be easily obtained from e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,077,200, 5,746,682, etc.

However, the aforementioned construction is prone to trouble with respect to its assembly, maintenance, and replacement. In particular, the disassembly and assembly of the continuous moving belt and the platform often frustrate do-it-yourselfers during the maintenance of the treadmill. Finally, they often have no choice but to turn to professional mechanic for help.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, based on the above described drawbacks of the prior art, the designer would like to employ a mechanism exposed to the outside of the main body of the treadmill for an easy assembly while achieving the same effects. In this way, maintenance and replacement operations can be considerably simplified. Thus, a pair of ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements and a pair of pivotal rigid cushioning elements that are interposed between the bottom surface of both sides of the platform frame and the base bars. Moreover, an auxiliary supporting element is pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly, respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured. In this way, the drawbacks of the prior art in use can be eliminated. This is the main object of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1 after application of the external forces; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a treadmill in accordance with the invention includes a handle frame assembly 10 and a platform frame 20.

The handle frame assembly 10 is positioned at both sides of a front end of the platform frame 20. An electronic console 11 is installed at a top side of the handle frame assembly 10 while two base bars 12 are attached to a bottom end of the handle frame assembly 10.

The platform frame 20 is pivotally mounted near a bottom portion of the handle frame assembly 10. A continuous moving belt 25 works in cooperation with a motor 21, a belt 22, a front roller 23, and a rear roller 24 to ensure a circulating operation.

A pair of ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements 30 and a pair of pivotal rigid cushioning elements 40 are interposed between the bottom surface of both sides of the platform frame 20 and the base bars 12. The pivotal rigid cushioning element 40 includes a guidewheel 41 at one end thereof. In this way, the guidewheel 41 is movable on the surface of the base bar 12 when the platform frame 20 is moved up and down by the external forces applied to it (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, the cushioning and restoring effects can be achieved. Moreover, an auxiliary supporting element 50 is pivotally interposed between both sides of the platform frame 20 and the handle frame assembly 10, respectively. As a result, a complete cushioning and restoring effect can be ensured.

In addition, the ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements 30 can also achieve the cushioning effect. In other words, the ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements 30 regain their original shape after being compressed or deformed by the external forces applied thereto. Accordingly, an optimal cushioning action may be achieved by the cooperation of the ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements 30, the pivotal rigid cushioning elements 40 and the auxiliary supporting elements 50.

In order to ensure the use safety, a soft stop element 60 can be attached to the surface of the base bars 12, respectively. In case of overload on the platform frame 20 or damage of relevant elements, the soft stop element 60 can act against the downward movement of the platform frame 20. In this way, the operator's safety can be assured.

Referring to FIG. 4 for another embodiment of the invention, a ground-contacting portion 13 and an adjustable foot 14 are attached to the bottom side of the base bars 12. In this way, the supporting feet 14 allow for an adjustment of the supporting angle, thereby bringing the platform frame 20 in an inclined position.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1-4. (canceled)
 5. A cushioning mechanism for a treadmill comprising: a) a handle frame assembly having an electronic console located on a top thereof and two base bars located on a bottom thereof; b) a platform frame pivotally mounted above two base bars of the handle frame assembly and having a continuous belt working in cooperation with a motor, a belt, a front roller, and a rear roller to ensure a circulating operation; c) two ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements, one connection element of the two ⊃-shaped rigid connection elements pivotally connecting each side of the platform frame to a corresponding one of the two base bars of the handle frame; d) two pivotal rigid cushioning elements, one cushioning element of the two pivotal rigid cushioning elements having a first end connected to each of two opposing sides of the platform frame and a guide wheel located on a second end thereof and slidably engaging a top surface of the corresponding one of the two base bars of the handle frame; and e) two auxiliary support elements, one of the two auxiliary support elements is connected between each of the two opposing sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly.
 6. The cushioning mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising two soft stop elements, one of the two soft stop elements is located between each of the two opposing sides of the platform frame and the handle frame assembly.
 7. The cushioning mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising two ground-contacting elements and two adjustable feet, one of the two ground-contacting elements and one of the two adjustable feet extending downwardly from each of the two base bars of the handle frame, the two ground-contacting elements and two adjustable feet selectively controlling an angle of the platform frame. 